One of the things I have been taking notice of while watching the various foodie-visiting places shows is the seating arrangements in the establishments. I have given up on Man vs Food as it appears he packs the place with a cheering section for his adventures. Some of the places visited 'before the challenge' do give an honest view of how tightly packed the regular crowd can be. DDD does a fair job when Guy mixes with the customers for comments about the food at a given place. Saturday evening TV used to be a Bore for me, but now with 2 hours of DDD on the food channel (9-11 PM) and 3 hours of COPS on Fox (8-9 PM) and G4 (9-11 PM), I keep the remote jumping from chase to food and back !!

Man VS Food encourages the owners to promote their appearance. They visited Chompies in Tempe AZ and the owners ran ads and in-store signs letting people know when they would be there. The show's producers encourage the crowd to get rowdy.

I'm sure there were probably more places he visited but the ones I know about are Joey K's and Cassamento's which have always been good, and popular with locals. His Cassamento's show was rerun last week. Now that it's open after being closed for the summer, I just wonder how hard it's going to be to get in, now the "secret's" out. Same goes for Parkway Bakery since Pres. Obama ate their last month during a Katrina anniversay visit.

The Travelin Man I know that you know I am not disagreeing with you, but the sad reality is that TV > Books. Thus, it will likely go down that from the point of entry of DDD, Guy Fieri and DDD will probably get the credit for keeping this type of dining establishment thriving.

TTM, you're so right -- I hadn't thought about it that way. Now that is indeed sad!

But he (read: his research staff) does look for a place with a certain vibe -- the taste almost gets second billing sometimes. I went to a Mexican place in Omaha after seeing an episode on it, and the taste of the food was average -- but the place itself was cool. And the owner told me that business spikes every time the rerun is shown, which is obviously good for those places. Chris

This is certainly not worth starting a brand-new thread for, but I thought I'd tack it on here. As usual, the comments below the review are pure gold. Lorenzo said it best: "How can [Fieri], on TV, high-five mom and pop and tell them how it's no wonder their food has gained such a loyal following and then turn around and do THIS to his fans?" Chris

The theme restaurant in Times Square isn't exactly meant to compete with Mom & Pop diners from the South and Midwest.

I think the production company that created the show was dropped by the Food Network, and now its run by other people. There was an article in a local Minnesota paper where the old producers had a dramatic Airing Of Grievances. It was kinda over the top. If you pick some obscure Italian-American restaurant chef, and stick a bunch of cameras in his face you are just going to get some material that isn't exactly "politically correct".

This is certainly not worth starting a brand-new thread for, but I thought I'd tack it on here. As usual, the comments below the review are pure gold. Lorenzo said it best: "How can [Fieri], on TV, high-five mom and pop and tell them how it's no wonder their food has gained such a loyal following and then turn around and do THIS to his fans?" Chris

Fieri already was a restauarnt owner with a few restaurants well before he hosted the DDD show.

WJ, I think he's really shaking the bushes for TV-ready spots. They just visited Tupelo down the block from us for their ridiculously heinous neo-Southern cuisine. To each his own, I guess.

trzhotel, you're correct in the non-competition. It's just sad that the Times Square place goes directly against what he preaches on the show. Granted, this is the guy who was the spokesperson for TGI Friday's, so expectations are irrelevant. Chris

One of the things I have been taking notice of while watching the various foodie-visiting places shows is the seating arrangements in the establishments. I have given up on Man vs Food as it appears he packs the place with a cheering section for his adventures. Some of the places visited 'before the challenge' do give an honest view of how tightly packed the regular crowd can be. DDD does a fair job when Guy mixes with the customers for comments about the food at a given place. Saturday evening TV used to be a Bore for me, but now with 2 hours of DDD on the food channel (9-11 PM) and 3 hours of COPS on Fox (8-9 PM) and G4 (9-11 PM), I keep the remote jumping from chase to food and back !!

We've been to a couple of the places mentioned on Triple D and I have to say that we were impressed. The food was good, as advertised on DDD. Terry's Turf Club in Cinci makes what may be the best burger in the US. And the Ice Cream at Creole Creamery is worth the trip to NOLA alone. I like the show. Haven't ever eaten at one of Guy's restaurants but would go to a Triple D recommended one any day.

Pretty much every FN personality is a study in duality: Tyler Florence and Rachael Ray showing people how to cook at home while promoting Applebee's and Burger King respectively, Bobby Flay telling culinary students who ask how they can get their own show to go to acting school if that's what they want yet he has a big hand in The Next Food Network Star program. Fieri is a brand. I love learning about some of the pretty cool places on DDD but I also fully expect any place with his name attached to be an extension of that branding and I set the bar for my expectations accordingly.

I do follow and respect the fine folks at SENY and I thought they gave it an even-handed review. I work near Times Square frequently but almost never eat in that area unless forced to by a friend or family member.

I see Guy Fieri as an audition call or hand picked paid actor for the show who got his start on the Next Food Network Stars show with no previous cred with diners, dives or drive-ins. He did not create the show and I would question how much input if any he has with picking restaurants. The show pretty much made him a brand personality and now he is capitalizing on it. A Jane and Michael Stern he is not and never will be. Nor is he even close to an Anthony Bourdain.

I will say that Guy was "on point" with the last few places he visited in Dallas earlier this year. Especially, Cane Rosso (pizza) and, Pecan Lodge (BBQ). What it's done though is kill the chance to eat at these places now. Pecan Lodge serves great BBQ but, they're only open Thursday-Sunday from 11:00AM till 3:00PM. Used to be you could walk in at lunchtime and order right away. Now since the show, the line is still easily 50 people strong and growing at 11:00AM - Six months later!

I went to two DDD reviewed restaurants in Portland, Or last month. I went to these restaurants because they are highly recommended by Portlanders. They just so happened to be on DDD, just another perk to make the lines longer. The two restaurants in Portland were, Pine State Biscuits and Otto's Sausage, both I would also recommend. I like DDD because almost all the restaurants show hard working people just making their way in life. If it wasn't for a show like DDD, how would we ever know about the small, hard working Mom and Pop restaurants in downtown USA. I think you still have to read between the lines when watching the show, the menu item thats shown could be a "one trick pony" kind of place..............pnwc

CC, we could could make a great drinking game out of all the FN shows.

Take a shot every time: Guy Fieri says "and bananas is good" Rachael Ray says "yummo" Ina Garten says "how bad can that be?" Tyler Florence uses the word "rock star" in any context Giada - says the word "Limoncello" in a thick Italian accent Duff says "awesome" (insert this rule occasionally or you'll be blotto before you know it) anytime there is an awkward silence between Bobby Flay and any of his co-stars whenever Roger and Aaron utter "dude", "hombre" or "bro" on Heat Seekers and last, but certainly not least whenever Paula Deen uses butter, mayonnaise and cream cheese together in one recipe!!